By Anna Burdett

Last updated at 09:00, Saturday, 19 May 2012

A serial flasher took to wearing two pairs of trousers to make him think twice before exposing himself.

Michael McShane was found by police drunk and unconscious on a Cumbrian street with two pairs of jeans half-way down his buttocks last month.

The 55-year-old was living at the Bowling Green Hostel in Carlisle on April 17 when he travelled to Workington and drank 10 pints of lager and 10 shots of rum.

With 190 convictions for 283 mainly exposure and drink-related offences, he decided to wear extra clothing in an effort to control his urges.

Defence barrister Elizabeth Muir told Carlisle Crown Court: “On this occasion there was no deliberate exposure of his genitals, which has happened so much in the past.

“He was found wearing two pairs of trousers. This was something he took to, to try and stop himself offending.”

In 2008, McShane was banned from getting drunk, disorderly and incapable in a public place under a sexual offences prevention order, as most of his offences were committed while he was drunk.

The court heard McShane had exposed himself in almost every part of the country, appearing before magistrates in many towns and cities over the past three decades.

His offences included indecent exposure in Essex, shameless indecency in Glasgow, flashing at motorists in Penrith and indecent assault in Corby.

He has used 16 aliases since first being caught indecently exposing himself aged 17 in Clerkenwell, London.

McShane has lived in Cumbria for several years and committed a number of offences here. He was found unconscious by a police officer in Vulcans Lane in Workington last month.

The court heard he had not drunk alcohol for two years before that day. He pleaded guilty to breaching the prevention of sexual offences order.

Judge Barbara Forrester said: “You have an absolutely appalling record. The only way forward is if you can overcome your drinking.”

She deferred sentencing until July 30.

The court heard that until last month, McShane had been responding well to help from probation officers.

First published at 08:54, Saturday, 19 May 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk